Statement by the President on the "Science, State, Justice, Commerce, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2006"

Today, I have signed into law H.R. 2862, the "Science, State, Justice,
Commerce, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2006." The Act funds
the Departments of Justice, Commerce, and State, and several independent
agencies, including the Federal Trade Commission, the Small Business
Administration, and the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The executive branch shall construe as advisory the provisions of the Act
that purport to direct or burden the Executive's conduct of foreign
relations, including the authority to recognize foreign states and
negotiate international agreements on behalf of the United States, or limit
the President's authority as Commander in Chief. These provisions include
sections 405, 413, 414, 631, 637, and language under the headings
"International Trade Administration, Operations and Administration" and
"Contributions for International Peacekeeping Activities."